Wouldn't say any of the recent incidents were due to winding up.

Maddo was defending the least aggressive player in our team while being beaten on by a big prop known for bully boy tactics.

Heaton had two of three pops at our players before young Bate took matters into his own hands and he didn't come off second best either.

While nobody is condoning violence least of all the BOM and our Coaching staff speaking as fan I am glad that we are sending out the message to everyone in this league that Leigh Centurions wont be bullied and will fight fire with fire as and when we need to.

Bet Heaton won't be pleased with his team mates as there weren't exactly many jumping in to help him during the initial scuffle!

You are right Andy, the fight was retaliation for previous events plus the use of the elbow on that last tackle, our only problem will be that whilst we all commend our team spirit and the fact the lads stick up for each other, retaliation punching will carry a similar offence to the one that started it.
Hopefully there wont be any further sanctions for either side but it will be scrutinised thoroughly.

However I certainly wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of Bate, what a scrapper he is !!

Which is why they won't get bans. We only have a small squad as it is. I stand by what I said. I would hate for our run in to be spoiled by bans to key players.

An 'all in' attitude is very commendable and adds to the spectacle but it is also very stupid and should be coached out. If you get smacked go down and get the penalty, retaliate and get sent off, join in and get banned and a possible club fine.

It's a hard call what to do when the ref fails to protect you, personally you have to get stuck in as we did otherwise we get bullied as we had by the Fevs and Sheffs of the world

Sadly though we didn't get the penalty until after the brawl. The ref and TJ's either didn't see it or decided not to bother. That was always on the cards after Higson's first crunching tackle on Heaton: pity the refs couldn't have picked that one coming as we all did in the crowd.

I don't think we have a discipline problem at Leigh and have a very disciplined group of players on the whole and a highly professional coach.

As a fan and also being associated with the club I have no issues with us standing up to some of the teams that in the past have attempted to bully us ideally within the rules but like I said sometimes these things happen in such a physical contact sport and when they do you don't want to come off second best

.

Like others have said if the referee last night had been stronger it would not have happened IMO. Gareth didn't have the best of game last night but we all have bad days in whatever profession we are in I suppose so wont slate the guy.

Harrison Has watched the Video a few times now and is defending Heaton, he also goes on to say that there were some tactics used which caused 7 players to need head dressings at half time all recieved on the left of the park. I didn't see it myself but i can certainly see some bans coming from the sounds of the all out brawl.

I dont give a Hoot about slating the referee. He gets paid to do a job and clearly couldnt control the game or let things go. I have watched many a game where you can see its only a matter of time before it goes and can see it brewing up, If i can see it from the stands then surely the refs can as well and its their job to control the game !!. Its a thankless job i admit but they get paid to do it so do it right !!.

Two in three games, you can bet what the opposing coaches will be doing. Hmmmm same ref though.

But it's also why their defence wasn't anywhere near as good as ours in many respects because the same unity wasn't there. Can see what you're saying, but I think we've been unlucky with the red cards when you consider how many brawls and scuffles go unpunished!

Did anyone see QLT get knocked out by Worky's Miller last night? That was a awesome 1 2 combo